Punjab: Speaker agrees to bring resolution against ED for restraining legislator from attending ongoing budget session
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, March 10, 2021: The matter of ED’s raid at MLA Sukhpal Khaira ‘s premises was again raised on Wednesday. Several Punjab MLA’s condemned Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at rebel MLA house at a time when the ongoing budget session is still underway.
After listening to the concerns expressed by all the leaders, Rana KP Singh agreed on bringing the resolution against ED for restraining a legislator from attending the ongoing budget session.
A resolution is likely to be passed by the house against ED.
Punjab MLAs condemned ED raid
During the zero hour of Wednesday session, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Kanwar Sandhu said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at Khaira's residences throughout the day.
"The raid was conducted on one of the most crucial days of Vidhan Sabha session. The people like legislators, journalists, and ministers, who are speaking on the issue of Kisan Morcha, are being targetted by the forces of the central government. The issue regarding this, should also be raised in the parliament," said Sandhu.
The cabinet minister Brahm Mohindra said that the chief minister also condemned the act of ED. The state government was not informed in advance about the raid.
I stand with Khaira: Navjot Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu shown his complete support to Khaira for the second consecutive day in the house. Sidhu said, "Khaira Sahab! I stand with you completely in this matter." Through the example of high-porfile raid of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Bengal, he said, "The CBI sent by the central government was not allowed by the state government. Why can't we do so in our state?"
While slamming Narendra Modi, Sidhu asked, "Are we living in a free society? The central government is murdering the democracy. The Sikhs have maximum sacrifices during the independence. Still, the Modi government is calling us anti-nationals."
ED's raid is my character assassination: Khaira
Sukhpal Khaira, who is in the headlines since Tuesday, said that the raid conducted by the ED was his character assassination. "Yesterday's raid was a complete attack on my family. They conducted raid at my residence in connection with alleged drug and money laundering cases registered against me. I want to tell you that the drug case was already put on stay by the supreme court. So, ED has no business to deal with that case. Secondly, I have proper record of the funds used for the Kisan Morcha," said Khaira.
He added that the records of the shopping of my children's wedding, including dry fruits, and donations for cancer patients given by his daughter, Simar Khaira, were also collected by the ED after taking his signatures. "Is this the way of ED to harras me? You cannot stop me by adopting such practices," said Khaira while adding that "My fight against farmers agitation, violence and brutality will goes on always. I am not afraid of any ED or CBI."
Also Read: Punjab leaders condemn ED's raid at Khaira's residence in assembly